‘Very outdated’: Trump’s directive to revert to steam catapults on new aircraft carrier baffles naval experts

Trump Orders Return to Steam Catapults for New Aircraft Carrier, Sparking Naval Debate

Goldlaner.com – President Donald Trump has issued a sweeping directive to the United States Navy, ordering a reversal of modernization efforts on a newly constructed aircraft carrier. The president has mandated that the vessel, currently under construction, abandon its electromagnetic launch system in favor of traditional steam-powered catapult technology. This unexpected policy shift threatens to significantly increase the carrier’s construction costs and push its operational timeline well into the late 2030s.

The official White House memorandum and accompanying fact sheet, published on Thursday, instructs Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to develop a comprehensive implementation strategy within sixty days. The plan must detail how to integrate the older steam catapult systems into the USS Doris Miller, a carrier that was originally designed with cutting-edge electromagnetic technology. While administration officials contend this decision addresses fundamental problems in naval construction, numerous maritime specialists have expressed skepticism about the timing and rationale behind the reversal.

Technical Reversal and Financial Implications

The most recent American aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, represents a significant technological leap forward. It utilizes an electromagnetic aircraft launch system, or EMALS, which operates on principles similar to high-speed rail technology. This modern approach eliminates many mechanical components, resulting in smoother operations and reduced maintenance requirements. In contrast, the ten existing Nimitz-class carriers continue to depend on steam-powered catapults, which rely on complex networks of valves, pressure regulators, and pistons.

Bryan Clark, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, noted that the directive requires substantial redesign work on the USS Doris Miller. He estimated that the financial impact “will probably be into the billions” and could postpone the carrier’s entry into active service from its projected 2034 timeline to the end of the next decade.

Clark explained that the electromagnetic system has demonstrated superior reliability in daily operations. The simplified design requires fewer personnel for maintenance and has generated annual savings of approximately one hundred million dollars for the Ford-class carrier program. The steam alternative, while proven over decades of service, demands more complex infrastructure and skilled labor to operate effectively.

Administrative Rationale and Historical Context

A White House spokesperson emphasized that the memorandum seeks to resolve persistent challenges within Navy shipbuilding and repair initiatives. President Trump has maintained a longstanding focus on this particular technological debate, arguing that the electromagnetic systems present unnecessary complexity for maritime operations. During remarks at the Defense and Innovation Summit in July, the president highlighted specific operational failures he attributed to the newer technology.

“They’re not nearly as good, too complex. And by the way, we had to call the ship in twice because the catapults didn’t work,” Trump stated. “When a little water touches the magnets, it doesn’t work anymore. You’re – you’re in the Atlantic Ocean with waves that are 60 feet high, and the Pacific Ocean with waves at 70 feet high, and they’re talking about magnets.”

The president’s concerns reflect a broader skepticism toward rapid technological adoption in military applications. His administration appears to favor established systems that have demonstrated reliability across multiple decades of naval service, even as other branches of the military continue modernizing their equipment.

Expert Criticism and Logistical Challenges

Chris Cavas, a veteran journalist and host of a naval affairs podcast, characterized the White House directive as representing outdated thinking. Having experienced both launch systems firsthand, Cavas described the electromagnetic approach as providing a noticeably smoother operation that places less mechanical stress on aircraft during takeoff procedures.

“I can tell you firsthand, you can feel the difference and the difference is that it’s smoother,” Cavas explained regarding the electromagnetic system. “It’s much less stress on the aircraft.”

Beyond the technical debate, the Navy faces significant logistical hurdles in implementing this reversal. The service previously manufactured steam catapults domestically but has not produced new units since the George H.W. Bush entered service in 2009. Cavas noted that the manufacturing infrastructure has largely disappeared over the intervening years.

“They haven’t had to make new steam catapults since the George H. W. Bush,” Cavas said. “That’s a long time ago and all that infrastructure is gone.”

Clark added that no American companies currently produce steam catapults in commercial quantities. Restarting domestic production would require tens of millions of dollars in initial investment and several years to establish a functional supply chain. This timeline could further complicate the carrier’s deployment schedule.

Political Response and Future Implications

Democratic Senator Mark Kelly, a retired Navy captain, voiced strong opposition to the directive through a public statement on Thursday. Kelly emphasized his extensive experience with carrier operations and engineering background when criticizing the presidential intervention.

“I’ve launched off the front of aircraft carriers hundreds of times, have a Master’s degree in aeronautical engineering, and am a test pilot and even I wouldn’t suggest to the Navy how to engineer specific systems on its ships,” Kelly wrote. “Donald Trump should stick to what he knows best — ballrooms, bankruptcy, and bullshit.”

The combined effect of the USS Doris Miller’s delay and the ongoing retirement of Nimitz-class vessels could create a significant gap in American naval capacity during the coming decade. Clark warned that the United States may face considerable challenges maintaining its global maritime presence if multiple carriers become unavailable simultaneously for maintenance or modernization.

CNN has contacted General Atomics, the manufacturer responsible for producing EMALS systems for both the USS Gerald R. Ford and the planned USS Doris Miller, to request additional commentary on the situation. The company was contracted to supply the electromagnetic launch systems for the newer carrier before the presidential directive altered its course.